So still no positives for Salford apart from ifs, buts and maybes?

Just the fact that you are already falling into the trap of propagating the narrative that our decline is in any way a result of Sale's arrival.

I stamped my feet when first I saw the blue seats (although more because of the lack of transparency on the club's part than anything else) but the cold fact is, we are the architects of our current predicament.

With smart managements and a slightly more enlightened world view, we could turn Sale's arrival to our advantage. But I suspect some people will be happier to have a ready made blame figure.

Sometimes I wonder whether this club gets the management it deserves.....

I'm perfectly aware of the state of our club management. The 'decline' will be exacerbated by Sale's arrival.

You seem to be saying that our management is not fit for purpose and therefore the arrival of Sale will offer us a great opportunity for our not fit for purpose management to take advantage of. I think you need to square the circle of your own logic.

No, what I'm saying is that we're stuck with our management and we can't do anything at all about Sale's arrival.

What I'm suggesting is that, rather than bleating about things that cannot change, why don't we at least seek to approach the situation we find ourselves in positively/constructively.

Or perhaps you're suggesting that bleating will be more beneficial to the club?

We absolutely have to make the best of the position we are in but the suggested 'benefits' yourself, Early Bath and other pro-Sale people are offering are so minimal (if they exist at all) that they will make no discernible difference to our current position. This is before we have considered any of the negatives and confronted the depressing proposition that people believe our club can only improve by relying on a rival sporting club.

In the same way you believe people wary about this groundshare are bleaters, I believe those offering false reasons for optimism are deluded.

Read my comments: I am fully aware of the pitfalls.

But the ship has sailed and we are presented with two choices: react positively and proactively or stamp our feet.

Which of these approaches do you think is more likely to achieve a positive outcome?

Is that how you've interpreted my comments? Strange.

On a personal level, I'm happy to have the opportunity to watch top class rugby all-year round (although I'd have liked Salford to have a longer "bedding in period" first) but, equally, I can appreciate the concerns held by others, given the current state of our club.

But the simple fact is: Salford RLFC (and by association its fans) is responsible for its own success or failure.

What exactly do you want to happen? Would you like to see John Wilkinson come out and publicly decry the stadium management company's decision to accept Sale as paying tenants?

What happens once once that's happened? Assuming the stadium
management company - as is their right - politely tell us to 'go b****cks!' Do we then enter into all out war with Sale? Who do you think wins that one?

I'll spell out where I stand as clearly as possible: regardless of what you think about Sale's co-tenancy, they are here and there is nothing you or anyone else can do about it. So we either approach the situation proactively to ensure that we are strong and equal partners or we sit around, sulk and convince ourselves that the club wasn't going down the pan at The Willows. I know where I stand on that one.

Here's the rub: I'm waiting for that proactive approach from the club too, but if it doesn't come it won't be Sale who I'll be blaming for our demise.

This is getting surreal. I give up!

Quality debate.

Just to clarify the convergent points. You both accept that Salford RL are the biggest threat to Salford RL; you both accept that in theory, Salford RL can make this new stadium arrangment a good thing for Salford; and you both agree that Salford RL are unlikely to materialise the theory based on a history of arguably poor management at the club?

I'd say that's a fair summation of my feelings Preacher!